Leet's Spring & Tanyard

Arthur I. Leet was a Methodist clergyman who also had widespread commercial interests. He established a mill and large tanyard near the spring before the war.

These facilities were widely used by local citizens, and the site became a landmark that was used by both armies during the Chickamauga Campaign¨

Confederate cavalry under General John Pegram camped at the site on September 12, 1863. During the night they came under a surprise attack from Colonel John T. Wilder's Mounted Infantry Brigade. Although outnumbered, the Federals had fire superiority due to their being armed with repeating rifles During the intense fighting, that was described by General Pegram as being "almost hand to hand," the Federals lost 15 men and the Confederates had approximately fifty killed and wounded. Neither side gained the advantage, and both parties subsequently withdrew.

Confederate Corps Commander Leonidas Polk was camped with his command in the nearby Rock Spring area, and he was joined there by General Braxton Bragg. At 2 p.m. on September 13, General Bragg ordered General William H.T. Walker to swing his forces from right to left, in order to strike the enemy, said to be near Leet's Tanyard at Pea Vine Church in force. Before the order was executed, however, it was discovered that the Arthur I. Leet was a Methodist clergyman who also had widespread commercial interests. He established a mill and large tanyard near the spring before the war.

The Confederate forces returned to the area a few days later, and Leet's Mill and Tanyard became a major staging area for the coming Battle of Chickamauga. "Left LaFayette at 4 P.M.," R. J. Jones, 1st Confederate Infantry, noted in his diary on September 17, "& arrived at Patton's St[o]re at 10 o'clock at night. Formed line of battle through Patton's fields and remained there all night."

Leet's Tanyard also served as Confederate Commander Braxton Bragg's headquarters just prior to the Battle of Chickamauga on September 17, 1863. It was here that Bragg planned his strategy for the coming action. During the night of September 1, he issued extremely important orders, directing his subordinates when and where to cross West Chickamauga Creek.

Although Bragg left Leet's Mill and Tanyard early on the morning of September 18 in order to move his headquarters closer to the fighting, there was still a Confederate military presence on the site during and after the Battle of Chickamauga. Several wounded Confederate soldiers were treated here. The site was also used as a collection point for Federal shoulders before their being sent further south.

Arthur Leet was a close associate of James Lee and his family, an assistant in the establishment of the Methodist church near the Gordon Lee house. Reverent Leet is buried at the Peavine Church cemetery that is located a short distance west of the spring.